After Oprah Winfrey announced on the final season premiere of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ that she taking fans on a trip with her to Australia, backlash came out against the talk show queen, Popeater.com reported on September 14. Even though Oprah will be taping several episodes of her show there, taking her fans to some of the top tourist spots in an effort to showcase the country, Australian taxpayers are upset they will have to help pay the bill. Overall, the trip will cost about $3 million in Australian money, or $2.7 million USD.

However, Australia’s tourism minister, Martin Ferguson, said that the trip, which will also be sponsored in part by the annual tourism budget, will be money well spent. “This truly represents an amazing opportunity to showcase Australia, the warmth and hospitality of our people and the depth and breadth of everything our country has to offer visitors from around the world.”

Former tourism minister John Brown also thinks the trip will benefit the country. “The publicity Oprah will bring Australia around the world is something you couldn’t buy,” he said.

Written by: Karen Benardello